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DJ Sent This Message to Friends Before Taking His Life By DJ Thompson March 2000 First, I would like to thank Troy and Bill [Stuart's brother] for their thoughtfulness in their expressions of the heart. This in part, is what has led me to go public, and International with my feelings, on this issue, and the general issue of hate and anti-rights for gay men and women. Not just from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but joined by the hate groups such as the Christian Coalition, and others aligned with them, all over this country. As Troy wrote, fear [of the unknown] is the driving force behind all that is wrong with planet earth, and the society known as The United States of America. Now, to borrow some more of Troy's words - "Isn't the [ability] of the Internet humbling? I find it amazing that ten years ago this sort of story, (Stuart Matis) probably would not have gotten much past a police report. But today it's been told around the world by Gay Mormons and their family members, [other] gay [people], ...etc." "As most of you know, I live in Florida. I have received this story from THREE people in the last two days and I will probably receive more copies. I feel obligated to send it on to others who otherwise would never have known. Not to embarrass or out of anger, but because oppression basically sucks, and the more people know, the less they are afraid, the less they want to destroy or control." "It is more than a little funny that the issue of gay marriage is being decided by people who have very little point of reference to do so. Fear is the driving force. Whether you agree or not, gay marriage doesn't affect most straight people or most Mormons." Troy. In short, no one can stop Gay men and women from making commitments to each other. The legal rights and privileges that come with legal marriage are what is really at stake here. Isn't it enough that gay people can legally be kicked out of their apartments, denied health benefits, fired from their jobs, kicked out of the military, not for kissing, but simply existing! Don't tell me that it doesn't happen that way, because all of the above has happened to me. Up until now, my pride kept most people close to me from knowing this. It is unfortunate that the lives of good people such as Stuart Matis, Mathew Shepherd, and many others go unnoticed, unappreciated, and under valued in this country. Therefore, I believe that the end of my life, will simply be the same. I also know that my words will be ignored by most that even hear or read them. I see Proposition 22 as a last straw in my lifelong battle to see peace in the world I live in. In reference of Stuart's story: Sincerely I ask, from the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was once persecuted [more than 150 years ago, how soon they forget] for its religious beliefs. I ask, where is the unconditional love that Jesus taught me as a child? Why do you spend money on hate and anti-rights causes, instead of putting the same dollar amounts into several chandeliers for several Temples? Why have you spent any of my tithing money on this and previous Anti-Christ political conduct? Why do you ignore the fact that one of your own scriptures [D&C 101] states that the Church believes the Constitution of the United States, was guided by God. "For all Men," not just for heterosexuals! In addition, why do you NOT, adhere to the principles of separation of Church and State? Although I have personally asked the leaders of the church to pray about these issues, feel that I have been ignored. Once again, and most importantly; where is the unconditional love that the REAL meaning of Jesus Christ's teachings are all about? From LDS Church members world-wide, and the rest of the Untied States; I ask, since when does someone else's rights keep the rest of the population from getting a divorce or treating their family members with more respect and or love? Why do under-the-table groups for hate and bigotry run the rest of this world? In addition, why do all of us have a nasty of habit of thinking that someone else's advance must somehow come at our expense? Now to borrow some very good words from Stuart's brother Bill - "I would encourage everyone to contemplate how he [or she] act and feel toward homosexuals. One of the biggest criticisms that the Pharisees and Sadducees, the supposed religious leaders of the day, said of Jesus was that he associated with publicans and harlots. Jesus even made one of those publicans, Matthew, one of his apostles. Whose example then, as Christians, are we going to follow? Are we going to follow the Pharisees and Sadducees who were puffed up in self-righteousness or Jesus Christ who showed love and compassion to everyone?" "To those who feel that my brother was no better than a murderer or an adulterer, I would like to say that the murderer and adulterer choose to be what they are. My brother [did not] choose to be homosexual any more than you or I chose the color of our skin. Many who knew him say that he was one of the most Christ-like people they had ever met. He was a son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and true friend." Bill Matis; Santa Clara, Ca. It has been said by many wise men... "Evil shall rule while good men sit idly by." In other words, those of you who are of voting age can make a difference. Instead of letting the people of influence make all the rules or do all the voting, for something you know to be wrong, when properly self educated. The Republican party used to stand for human rights. (Not special rights that you yourself think you are not getting.) That is no longer true. Bill Bradley is the only candidate who has said that gay people deserve "equal rights." It has come to my attention that he is bowing out of the race for President. This gives me further reason to grieve for the future of this country, and the world I am now leaving behind. Please, make a difference in the lives of gay people now, and your own, or as in repeated past, somehow, eventually your own world will be the next, that oppression finds. Vote for all Human rights, not just your own. I was born: Brian Hyer Thompson. I added David James [more than 10 years ago] as my middle names, my parents regretfully informed me that they were two of other choices they had pondered for my name. I liked those names very much; they came in handy when I decided to go by the nickname my younger brother used to call me [DJ]. I was always the one in control of the Radio. Now you know my current legal name: Brian David James Hyer Thompson. Stuart and I were both to be 33 this year. We both decided to leave this earth for most of the same reasons. Despite our differences, we were both taught to stand up for what we believe in. Especially without people like him in it, my heart can no longer stand for what this world has become, or what is yet to come. I do not blame my family for the reaction that I expect them to have. They are devout to their religion, and will react, as they have been condition to...especially in their older years. They are and always have been the best that they could be, for what they have learned on this earth, thus far! I have been a fan of many talented artists, and many genre's, throughout my life, from A to Z. However, for this moment in time. If I could choose songs to be played [in this order] at my own funeral... Or instead of a funeral, [family expense] also to help those who survive me to understand what I'm going through right now, I would play the following music for you. Special thanks, to these artists: Chris Gains [Garth]/Greatest Hits: 7 - It don't matter to the sun 13 - My love tells me so 1 - That's the way I remember it 2 - Lost in you 12 - Maybe --Amy Grant/Home for Christmas: [Also, If the rumors are true, Congratulations: Amy & Vince] 6 - Grown-Up Christmas List Chris Gains/Greatest Hits: 8 - Right now Richard Marx/Flesh and Bone: 6 - Until I find you again Good-Bye.... Love, DJ
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